NOW IT''S ''WHITE VAN WOMAN'' WARNS IAM
15 March 2005 - Institute of Advanced Motorcyclists

Studies of young drivers in America and Japan have revealed that females are now just as aggressive as males and display similar levels of competitiveness and sensation seeking behind the wheel.

According to the latest edition of Advanced Driving, the magazine of the IAM, this trend is beginning to affect UK roads too. Advanced Driving quotes latest Home Office figures stating that although men still account for the vast majority of motoring offences, the number of women getting traffic convictions, particularly speeding, has risen by 50 per cent in the last eight years.

Commentators attribute the rise in female lawlessness to women''s changing social roles and greater independence, as well as the fact that more women are driving big, powerful cars which give them an exaggerated feeling of personal security and lead to a less cautious approach on the road.

''Bad driving by either sex is a cause for concern. We don''t need the lad-ette culture putting our safety at risk. I know that ''White Van Woman'' may not actually be in a Transit but she could have attitudes that can create problems for the rest of us on the road,'' said Christopher Bullock, IAM Chief Executive.

Also in the spring edition of Advanced Driving:

- Automatic Pilot : how emerging car technology could lead to driver ''underload'';

- Give it a spin: Radio One DJs line up to take the Max Power assessment

- Graduated Fixed Penalties: could the new Road Safety Bill mean a more flexible approach to fines and penalty points for drivers?

- Colour vision: we ask if some car colours really safer than others.

Advanced Driving is the magazine of the IAM, a road safety charity dedicated to saving lives on the road by improving driving and riding standards.

The IAM offers the well known advanced test for all types of vehicle and has a membership organisation with over 100,000 advanced drivers and motorcyclists. It also provides a range of driver education and is the leading provider of occupational road risk management and driver training.

www.iam.org.uk

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